ENZYMES BETWEEN MEALS CAN HELP
Serrapeptase Benefits + Side Effects & Dosage
(edited by TL - from www.selfhacked.com)
Introduction
Serrapeptase is an enzyme widely used to treat pain and inflammation. It also has a range of other potential health benefits like lowering heart disease risk, reducing excess mucus, and even boosting sperm count. However, clinical and animal studies on serrapeptase are limited. Serrapeptase, otherwise known as serratiopeptidase, is a proteolytic enzyme, meaning it is used by the body to break down proteins into amino acids [1, 2]. Anti-inflammatory drugs called nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs like aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen) are used more often, but they have many side effects. Enzymes are even an important part of a well known anti-cancer protocol (see www.beljanski.org).
Online there is the classic enzyme formula from Germany, Wobenzyme N, and many inexpensive serrapeptase products like those from iEnzymes and Zazzee. I personally have used all three of these. Buluoke lumbrokinase is also in this group of products but less widely known.
I recommend you try several brands and ask your body what it prefers. Consider it a long term commitment and there may be an advantage to changing the enzyme formula every few months. Use at least 30 min. before a meal or 2 hours after. There is an advantage to using enzymes 15-30 minutes before exercise. Read on and note that the referenced articles (#1-39) can be found at www.selfhacked.com.
Health Benefits of Serrapeptase
1) Reduces Inflammation and Swelling - Dead cells and tissues (cellular debris) cause inflammation by overstimulating the immune system. Serrapeptase promotes the breakdown of this debris and dilutes injury made fluids, which helps drain harmful substances from the inflammatory site [10]. It also inactivates toxins that cause swelling and pain [10]. Serrapeptase reduces swelling by decreasing fluid buildup in the tissues and increasing fluid drainage [11]. Useful in: Arthritis, Trauma (but no change in study of dental operations), Infections in the sinuses (sinusitis), Infections in the lungs (bronchitis), Carpal tunnel syndrome
2) Reduces Pain -Serrapeptase reduced pain in a study of 24 postoperative patients [13]. Similarly, serrapeptase decreased pain by 64% and nighttime cramps by 53% in a study of 40 patients with inflammatory venous disease [18]. Serrapeptase is most effective in reducing pain in localized areas of inflammation like the ears, nose, or throat [19]. However, in a study of 150 postoperative patients, serrapeptase did not show any significant pain relieving effects and fared worse than drugs like ibuprofen and betamethasone [17].
3) Reduces Mucus and Other Secretions - Serrapeptase reduces the viscosity (the resistance to flow) of many secretions such as mucus. This allows the body to remove excretions more efficiently, speeding up tissue repair [19, 20]. In a study of 29 patients suffering from difficulty breathing due to blocked airways (chronic airway disease), serrapeptase significantly reduced mucus clearance. The amount of sputum (mucus and saliva), cough frequency, and amount of phlegm also decreased after serrapeptase treatment [21].
4) Removes Blood Clots and Plaques - Serrapeptase can break down fibrin, a blood clotting molecule, in dead tissue without damaging the surrounding healthy tissue. This helps remove blood clots and plaques. It allows for better antibiotic treatment as the antibiotics are able to further penetrate into the tissue [11]. Biofilms, which can be made of fibrin, grow on devices to cause infection and protect bacteria from dying. Serrapeptase can break down biofilms made of fibrin [23]. Fibrin is also responsible for creating scar tissue, which can be painful and unsightly. By breaking down fibrin, serrapeptase can reduce excess scar tissue formation, thereby reducing pain in the patient [24, 25, 23].
5) May Help with Alzheimer’s Disease - In rats, serrapeptase increased the levels of both BDNF and IGF-1, both of which protect brain cells [2]. Additionally, serrapeptase decreased the activity of pro-inflammatory TGF-β and IL-6, both of which are normally high in Alzheimer’s patients [2]. Amyloid-β plaques are a common feature of Alzheimer’s. Levels of acetylcholinesterase, which causes the formation of these plaques, decreased with serrapeptase intake [2].
6) May Reduce the Risk of Stroke - Serrapeptase dissolves dead and damaged tissue without harming healthy tissue. By doing this, serrapeptase can remove deposits or clots of fat, cholesterol, cellular waste, calcium, and fibrin that can build up in arteries [27, 28]. Removing these deposits can decrease blood thickness and lower the risk of stroke [28].
7) Improves Breast Engorgement - Serrapeptase treatment can improve breast engorgement or painful overfilling of the breasts with milk. In a study of 70 patients, serrapeptase reduced breast pain, swelling, and hardness in 86% of patients [29]. Although not stated in the literature, serrapeptase may be transferred through breast milk. Please consult with a doctor before taking serrapeptase when breastfeeding.
8) Improves Superficial Thrombophlebitis - Serrapeptase showed improvement in 65% of patients with superficial thrombophlebitis (pain and inflammation caused by a blood clot in the vein) in a 40-patient study. Many symptoms of superficial thrombophlebitis such as pain, inflammation, and skin decay decreased after serrapeptase treatment [18].
9) Enhances Antimicrobial Treatments - As mentioned above, serrapeptase decreases biofilm formation [23]. Combining antibiotics and serrapeptase increases the concentrations of antibiotics in tissues. This is because serrapeptase dissolves dead tissue, allowing antibiotics to penetrate deeper into tissues. Not only does this enhance the effectiveness of antibiotic treatment, but is also safer for patients due to lower drug use [30-1)
10) May Improve Peri-implantitis - Peri-implantitis is inflammation of the soft and hard tissue of dental implants. Patients that received serrapeptase healed faster and had lower implant failure rates than patients receiving placebo or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs [32].
11) May Improve Carpal Tunnel Syndrome - In a study, 13 of 20 patients with carpal tunnel syndrome showed significant clinical improvement after serrapeptase treatment. However, the condition recurred in four of the 13 patients [33].
12) Reduces Red Patches on the Skin - Serrapeptase reduced red patches on the skin (erythema) by 58% in a study of 40 patients with inflammatory venous disease [18].
13) May Increase Sperm Count - In a study of infertile 50 male patients with accessory gland infections, a combination of quinolones and serrapeptase increased sperm count in 22 of the patients. Because serrapeptase enhances the activity of antibiotics like quinolone in fighting infections, it may partly account for this increase in sperm count [34].
Side Effects - Serrapeptase, when taken orally, can cause anorexia, nausea, and disturbances in the gut [35]. Skin inflammation, Bulls-eye shaped lesions of the skin, Muscle ache, Joint pains, Pneumonia, Blood clot abnormalities. Dangers - Although rare, cases were reported when serrapeptase caused pneumonia. There are cases of a 69-year-old man with a common cold, an 84-year-old man with recurrent bladder infections, and a 32-year-old woman that took serrapeptase for treatment and saw worsening of symptoms and development of pneumonia. Stopping treatment reduced pneumonia symptoms [36, 37, 38]. Patients with abscesses, especially in the cheek area, should avoid serrapeptase. The drug can cause painful swelling in the abscess area [39].
Most clinical studies use serrapeptase in doses ranging from 10 to 60 mg/day (From TL: or up to 250 SPU’s 2-3 x day) [16]. Serrapeptase has also been developed as a gel or ointment for use over the skin. These forms are better for localized treatments and produce fewer side effects [35].
Serrapeptase has to be taken on an empty stomach or 2 hours after eating. Food should not be consumed for the next 30 minutes after taking serrapeptase [11]. There have been no dosage studies in humans to this day. Studies for the minimum concentration needed to produce therapeutic effects in humans have not been conducted. However, drug companies recommend at least 15 to 30 mg/day. You should consult a doctor for more information on correct dosing [11, 11]. Some combine serrapeptase and nattokinase with Nattokinase (similar action)
Drug Interactions - Combining serrapeptase with drugs such as warfarin, clopidogrel, diclofenac and aspirin or substances such as garlic, fish oil, and turmeric can increase the risks of bleeding and bruising [16], or blisters.
Serrapeptase is an enzyme widely used to treat pain and inflammation. It also has a range of other potential health benefits like lowering heart disease risk, reducing excess mucus, and even boosting sperm count. However, clinical and animal studies on serrapeptase are limited. Serrapeptase, otherwise known as serratiopeptidase, is a proteolytic enzyme, meaning it is used by the body to break down proteins into amino acids [1, 2]. Anti-inflammatory drugs called nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs like aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen) are used more often, but they have many side effects. Enzymes are even an important part of a well known anti-cancer protocol (see www.beljanski.org).
Online there is the classic enzyme formula from Germany, Wobenzyme N, and many inexpensive serrapeptase products like those from iEnzymes and Zazzee. I personally have used all three of these. Buluoke lumbrokinase is also in this group of products but less widely known.
I recommend you try several brands and ask your body what it prefers. Consider it a long term commitment and there may be an advantage to changing the enzyme formula every few months. Use at least 30 min. before a meal or 2 hours after. There is an advantage to using enzymes 15-30 minutes before exercise. Read on and note that the referenced articles (#1-39) can be found at www.selfhacked.com.
Health Benefits of Serrapeptase
1) Reduces Inflammation and Swelling - Dead cells and tissues (cellular debris) cause inflammation by overstimulating the immune system. Serrapeptase promotes the breakdown of this debris and dilutes injury made fluids, which helps drain harmful substances from the inflammatory site [10]. It also inactivates toxins that cause swelling and pain [10]. Serrapeptase reduces swelling by decreasing fluid buildup in the tissues and increasing fluid drainage [11]. Useful in: Arthritis, Trauma (but no change in study of dental operations), Infections in the sinuses (sinusitis), Infections in the lungs (bronchitis), Carpal tunnel syndrome
2) Reduces Pain -Serrapeptase reduced pain in a study of 24 postoperative patients [13]. Similarly, serrapeptase decreased pain by 64% and nighttime cramps by 53% in a study of 40 patients with inflammatory venous disease [18]. Serrapeptase is most effective in reducing pain in localized areas of inflammation like the ears, nose, or throat [19]. However, in a study of 150 postoperative patients, serrapeptase did not show any significant pain relieving effects and fared worse than drugs like ibuprofen and betamethasone [17].
3) Reduces Mucus and Other Secretions - Serrapeptase reduces the viscosity (the resistance to flow) of many secretions such as mucus. This allows the body to remove excretions more efficiently, speeding up tissue repair [19, 20]. In a study of 29 patients suffering from difficulty breathing due to blocked airways (chronic airway disease), serrapeptase significantly reduced mucus clearance. The amount of sputum (mucus and saliva), cough frequency, and amount of phlegm also decreased after serrapeptase treatment [21].
4) Removes Blood Clots and Plaques - Serrapeptase can break down fibrin, a blood clotting molecule, in dead tissue without damaging the surrounding healthy tissue. This helps remove blood clots and plaques. It allows for better antibiotic treatment as the antibiotics are able to further penetrate into the tissue [11]. Biofilms, which can be made of fibrin, grow on devices to cause infection and protect bacteria from dying. Serrapeptase can break down biofilms made of fibrin [23]. Fibrin is also responsible for creating scar tissue, which can be painful and unsightly. By breaking down fibrin, serrapeptase can reduce excess scar tissue formation, thereby reducing pain in the patient [24, 25, 23].
5) May Help with Alzheimer’s Disease - In rats, serrapeptase increased the levels of both BDNF and IGF-1, both of which protect brain cells [2]. Additionally, serrapeptase decreased the activity of pro-inflammatory TGF-β and IL-6, both of which are normally high in Alzheimer’s patients [2]. Amyloid-β plaques are a common feature of Alzheimer’s. Levels of acetylcholinesterase, which causes the formation of these plaques, decreased with serrapeptase intake [2].
6) May Reduce the Risk of Stroke - Serrapeptase dissolves dead and damaged tissue without harming healthy tissue. By doing this, serrapeptase can remove deposits or clots of fat, cholesterol, cellular waste, calcium, and fibrin that can build up in arteries [27, 28]. Removing these deposits can decrease blood thickness and lower the risk of stroke [28].
7) Improves Breast Engorgement - Serrapeptase treatment can improve breast engorgement or painful overfilling of the breasts with milk. In a study of 70 patients, serrapeptase reduced breast pain, swelling, and hardness in 86% of patients [29]. Although not stated in the literature, serrapeptase may be transferred through breast milk. Please consult with a doctor before taking serrapeptase when breastfeeding.
8) Improves Superficial Thrombophlebitis - Serrapeptase showed improvement in 65% of patients with superficial thrombophlebitis (pain and inflammation caused by a blood clot in the vein) in a 40-patient study. Many symptoms of superficial thrombophlebitis such as pain, inflammation, and skin decay decreased after serrapeptase treatment [18].
9) Enhances Antimicrobial Treatments - As mentioned above, serrapeptase decreases biofilm formation [23]. Combining antibiotics and serrapeptase increases the concentrations of antibiotics in tissues. This is because serrapeptase dissolves dead tissue, allowing antibiotics to penetrate deeper into tissues. Not only does this enhance the effectiveness of antibiotic treatment, but is also safer for patients due to lower drug use [30-1)
10) May Improve Peri-implantitis - Peri-implantitis is inflammation of the soft and hard tissue of dental implants. Patients that received serrapeptase healed faster and had lower implant failure rates than patients receiving placebo or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs [32].
11) May Improve Carpal Tunnel Syndrome - In a study, 13 of 20 patients with carpal tunnel syndrome showed significant clinical improvement after serrapeptase treatment. However, the condition recurred in four of the 13 patients [33].
12) Reduces Red Patches on the Skin - Serrapeptase reduced red patches on the skin (erythema) by 58% in a study of 40 patients with inflammatory venous disease [18].
13) May Increase Sperm Count - In a study of infertile 50 male patients with accessory gland infections, a combination of quinolones and serrapeptase increased sperm count in 22 of the patients. Because serrapeptase enhances the activity of antibiotics like quinolone in fighting infections, it may partly account for this increase in sperm count [34].
Side Effects - Serrapeptase, when taken orally, can cause anorexia, nausea, and disturbances in the gut [35]. Skin inflammation, Bulls-eye shaped lesions of the skin, Muscle ache, Joint pains, Pneumonia, Blood clot abnormalities. Dangers - Although rare, cases were reported when serrapeptase caused pneumonia. There are cases of a 69-year-old man with a common cold, an 84-year-old man with recurrent bladder infections, and a 32-year-old woman that took serrapeptase for treatment and saw worsening of symptoms and development of pneumonia. Stopping treatment reduced pneumonia symptoms [36, 37, 38]. Patients with abscesses, especially in the cheek area, should avoid serrapeptase. The drug can cause painful swelling in the abscess area [39].
Most clinical studies use serrapeptase in doses ranging from 10 to 60 mg/day (From TL: or up to 250 SPU’s 2-3 x day) [16]. Serrapeptase has also been developed as a gel or ointment for use over the skin. These forms are better for localized treatments and produce fewer side effects [35].
Serrapeptase has to be taken on an empty stomach or 2 hours after eating. Food should not be consumed for the next 30 minutes after taking serrapeptase [11]. There have been no dosage studies in humans to this day. Studies for the minimum concentration needed to produce therapeutic effects in humans have not been conducted. However, drug companies recommend at least 15 to 30 mg/day. You should consult a doctor for more information on correct dosing [11, 11]. Some combine serrapeptase and nattokinase with Nattokinase (similar action)
Drug Interactions - Combining serrapeptase with drugs such as warfarin, clopidogrel, diclofenac and aspirin or substances such as garlic, fish oil, and turmeric can increase the risks of bleeding and bruising [16], or blisters.
